Acrostic
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Acrostics (also called anacrostics, crostics, or double-crostics) are a type of clue-based Word Puzzle that involves assigning numbers to each letter in the clues' answers, then fitting those letters into a grid in numerical order to spell a quote (or other string of text). Often, the first letters of the clues' answers spell a relevant name, phrase, or clue to the puzzle's grid fill.
Background
Originally called double-crostics, this type of puzzle was invented by a schoolteacher named Elizabeth Kingsley, who wrote her first acrostic in 1933. The puzzle was subsequently published in the Saturday Review in 1934, and the puzzle type was quickly picked up by other publications, including the New York Times (who hired her to write weekly puzzles for the Sunday puzzle page from May of 1943 to December of 1952).
The name 'double-crostic' likely stems from a separate puzzle type, the double-acrostic, in which a series of clues are presented (often in poetic style as a nod to acrostic poetry) whose answers read relevant words down both their first and last letters. In addition, the alternate name of 'anacrostic' is simply a portmanteau of "anagram" and "acrostic", which is both relevant to how such puzzles are often constructed, and how the puzzle's final solution is an anagram of the entire list of clue answers.
In most historical cases, as well as most non-hunt-puzzle cases, acrostics result in a quote, particularly one of literary, poetic, or oratory fame. As the goal was often to not have to solve all of the clues directly, and reward solvers who recognized the quote, they were purposefully designed to be possible to partially fill in based on a half-solved puzzle. In hunt versions, however, the goal is to put a twist on the concept, or purposefully make it more difficult to solve. In these cases quotes are used less often, with more puzzle content (such as more clues or a series of phrases that don't form a coherent quote) taking their place. Sometimes writers will make a compromise, and use both, but these cases are much less common.
Puzzle Application
TO DO
Strategy
TO DO
Notable Examples
- The Scrambler (MIT 2006) - Instead of a quote, the clue answers contribute to the creation of more clues. Ultimately, the final answer is what is given by the initials of the answers.
- A Toast (MIT 2015) - A purely visual acrostic, with a collage of images that need to be identified (specifically as lyric from Rent's La Vie Boheme).
- Getting Out of Line (MIT 2017) - Instead of being given a grid to fill in with letters, the numbered letters go to form a crossword grid, with the down entries being clued by a separate set of clues.
